Does anyone else find it annoying when you buy a cookbook and a recipe (usually more than one) consists of something like "Buy brand xyz barbecue sauce. Spread on chicken. Bake for 2 hours." OK, sometimes there are a couple more ingredients involved, but still...

If I wanted a recommendation for a brand of barbecue sauce, I'd just ask my friends. I thought cookbooks are supposed to have RECIPES.

Sorry for the vent. Just thought I'd share. Maybe someone can explain this phenomenon; I just think it's cheating.

Subject :Re:Why do they do this in cookbooks?

03/11/2012 19:48

njmom

Joined: 12/13/2010 16:35Posts: 107

Lol. I sometimes like to find recipes that take 2 seconds and don't require work. If I paid for a cookbook and it was full of such recipes, then I would be a bit annoyed. but 1 or 2 out of 150, then I'm fine with that. My friends never know what brands to buy. Maybe we should start a new post with our favorite brands for all food items.

I like quick recipes but I don't need a cookbook to tell me that I can put barbecue sauce on a piece of meat and cook it. It's self-explanatory.

It's also annoying even as part of a bigger recipe because when I'm going to the effort of following a recipe to make something myself, I don't want to have to buy a zillion ingredients. I'm OK with trying new spices or herbs but I don't want to fill my cupboards with 50 sauces or special spice mixes that I only need to use 2 Tbsp to try out a new recipe that I might not even like.

Subject :Re:Why do they do this in cookbooks?

03/12/2012 09:06

CookMama

Joined: 12/13/2010 19:47Posts: 59

I know how you feel-I feel the same way. Try out the new cookbook by Fresh and Easy. It has great recipes, easy and without too many unusual ingredients. I also love the cookbook What's Cooking and Crowning Elegance. Great, easy recipes that you don't need loads of new stuff nor zillion ingredients!

Subject :Re:Why do they do this in cookbooks?

03/13/2012 18:02

knaidel

Joined: 03/02/2011 01:36Posts: 45

Thanks for the suggestions! I'm not really thinking of buying right now but if I ever do get to it I'll check those out. Meanwhile websites like this one keep me busy enough, usually I have some idea of what I want to make and I search online until I find a recipe that sounds like my style. I wonder if the internet is going to put cookbooks out of business. Topic for another post, I guess...

Subject :Re:Why do they do this in cookbooks?

03/21/2012 21:59

OvertimeCook

Joined: 09/13/2011 17:02Posts: 13

On my blog, I often struggle with the idea of whether a recipe is too simple to post or not. I guess it's different with a food blog though, because nobody pays to see a super simple recipe.

Subject :Re:Why do they do this in cookbooks?

03/22/2012 21:27

knaidel

Joined: 03/02/2011 01:36Posts: 45

Oh I absolutely approve of super simple on blogs. Blogs are all about sharing and they're supposed to be personal, if you want to recommend your favorite bbq sauce and then suggest that it simply be smeared and grilled, go right ahead and I'll choose whether I want to take your suggestion. But when you're publishing a book and having a hard time coming up with the promised amount of original recipes before your deadline... Lame.